Monrovia High School Robotics Team Wins Highest Honor at Los Angeles Regional Tournament

Five young women from Monrovia High School and their rhinestone-encrusted robot won the Inspire Award, the highest honor given at the Los Angeles FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Regional Championship Tournament held at Monrovia this past Saturday. Along with six other teams from cities ranging from Santa Barbara to San Diego, they advance to compete with top teams from eleven western states, Alaska and Hawaii in McClellan, CA, near Sacramento on March 20-22, 2014 at the West Super-Regional FTC Championship.

These five junior class women – the “Kings and Queens” team – designed and built their own 18 by 18 inch robot from Tetrix parts, plexiglass, and machined aluminum to compete with alliances of robots on a 12 by 12 foot field. They stand out not just for their driving, design prowess, and their robot’s ability to raise a flag and pull itself up on a bar. Heads turn as they drive their purple robot “Your Highness” while wearing their signature costumes of purple-velvet-and gold-embroidered renaissance dresses. They also spread the word of robotics design as they share their robot adventures with elementary and middle-school students around Monrovia.

Engineer and computer programming judges from major regional companies chose the team from among a field of the top 48 FTC robotics teams from throughout Southern California as the "role-model" team for their on-field success, teamwork, inspiration to others, representation of the First Robotics program to their school and community, and embodiment of "Gracious Professionalism," the core value of the FIRST program.

This win is the first Regional champion from Monrovia High School in its four-year-old FTC robotics program, supported by company sponsors and members of the community and led by physics teacher Tom Dobson. Monrovia High School advanced four teams to the Los Angeles Regional Championship, which drew winners from eight qualifier competitions from Los Angeles out to the High Desert. This high school FTC after-school program is one of many opportunities supporting STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math) in conjunction with Monrovia’s Math and Science Academy. A second of Monrovia High's four FTC Robotics teams, "Team R.E.D.,” won an alternate spot for the Super-Regional tournament.

Winning teams in the West Super-Regional Competition will advance to the international championships in St. Louis, MO on April 23-26, 2014. The Monrovia High School FTC robotics program welcomes tax-deductible donations and company sponsorships to help cover the cost of traveling to Sacramento and hopefully on to St. Louis.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

History of Former Monrovia Library | Water Wise Gardening

~ Interested in water wise gardening? The Monrovia Library has some books to recommend: http://goo.gl/1SIvmY

~ A bit of history about the former Monrovia Library. http://goo.gl/ph1gZl

- Brad Haugaard

High Chance of Rain in Monrovia Starting This Wednesday

Rain coming up for Monrovia. 10% chance on Wednesday, 30% Thursday, 90% Friday, 70% Saturday, then 20% Sunday through Tuesday and 10% Wednesday ( http://goo.gl/s8UaLX ). And National Weather Service says ( http://goo.gl/5nz0fY ), "A dramatic change in the weather is expected the second half of the week as a couple of winter storms are forecast to move across southwestern California. These two storms will bring significant rainfall...high elevation snow and gusty winds." Opinion: Well, good! We can use it.

- Brad Haugaard

Upton Sinclair in Monrovia

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Upton Sinclair, who wrote the novel, "The Jungle," lived in Monrovia for a while. Here's a bit about him and his house from the Monrovia Library: http://goo.gl/TlLXUe

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Enrollment a Bit Down, But Up Nicely for Kindergarten; Computer Equipment; Honors

At its Feb. 26 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/d1ued0 ) the Monrovia School Board will do this stuff ...

~ Receive a report indicating that enrollment has slipped slightly since 2009, however: "kindergarten enrollment (including Transition Kindergaten) is at its highest level since 2000-01. This could portend well for district enrollment trends in the future." http://goo.gl/4TyCge

~ Consider buying computer equipment so the district can administer the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for less than $1 million, to be paid for by one-time state funds. http://goo.gl/VMpbhu

~ Join with the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce to recognize these Employees of the Month for outstanding service: Jan Marlia, School Office Manager, Clifton Middle School; Tomeika Carter, Teacher, Clifton Middle School; Felicia Richardson, Clerical Assistant III, Monrovia High School; Sandra Duff, Teacher, Monrovia High School. Also, the board will honor Monrovia High School student Kevin Lee, a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, and Roy Lamb, the Monrovia School District's 2014 Golden Apple Recipient. And, it will recognize the Monrovia/Duarte Black Alumni Association for coordinating Black History Month Activities following the theme of "The Civil Rights Movement in America".

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Miyachi at Science Expo

Monrovia's Miyachi America Corporation, a manufacturer of welding, marking and micro machining equipment and systems, will be participating in the Monrovia High School Math & Science Academy Science Expo tomorrow, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Monrovia High School Science Building quad. The event is free and fun for all ages! Miyachi will demonstrate its laser marking systems, and distributing unique giveaways.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Gem City Grill

Lunch at Gem City Grill yesterday. It's mostly a bar, and not at all elegant, but they do serve food. On the north side of Olive just east of Myrtle. Got a Steakburger ($5.25) and a beer ($4.50 if I remember correctly). Very friendly, attentive service (the kind of place where they call you "Sweetie") and the burger was fat and filling and tasty. I liked it!

- Bead Haugaard

Robot Competition | Monrovia Moms Club Sale

~ Monrovia High hosts robotics competition, Saturday, Feb. 22. http://goo.gl/wMw7kG

~ Monrovia Moms Club sale, Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m., 137 N Primrose Ave. http://goo.gl/fRTo4B

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Novel T's Book Club | Julian Fisher Park Open House

~ The Novel T's Book Club meets at the Monrovia Public Library every 4th Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. to discuss literary works selected by the members, fiction and non-fiction. February 25 discussion will feature "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarity. March, Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca," April is "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout. Refreshments will be served based on the theme of the book. http://goo.gl/2qjCIR

~ There will be an open house at Julian Fisher Park to view renderings of the park's playground equipment and learn about proposed playground construction timelines. Southeast corner of S. California Ave. and E. Chestnut Ave., Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 - 11:30 a.m. http://goo.gl/r2azZY

- Brad Haugaard

Raise Money For Cancer Society at Monrovia's Peach Cafe

Help raise money for American Cancer Society by having breakfast or lunch at the Peach Cafe on Thursday, Feb. 27, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. It is on Colorado just west of Ivy. Details: http://goo.gl/meOGDR

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Mother vs. Son; Assault Over Sleeping Bag; Fight Over Colliding Mirrors; Firefighter Cop

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 17-19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 381 service events, resulting in 83 investigations.

Vehicle Burglaries
February 17 in the early afternoon, two vehicle burglaries and one theft from a vehicle were reported to police. The incidents occurred in the 200 block of Valle Vista, the 300 block of Valle Vista, and the 200 block of North Grand Avenue. Miscellaneous items that were left in the vehicles were taken. One of the vehicles had been left unlocked, and in one of the incidents a window was shattered to enter the vehicle. The investigations are continuing.

Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 7:40 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 600 block of South Mountain when he saw a suspicious adult male subject at Olive and Mountain. He contacted the subject, who consented to a pat down search for weapons or drugs. During the search, the officer found one small baggie of methamphetamine. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Assault – Suspect Arrested
February 18 at 6:30 p.m., a male subject called police to report he had just been assaulted. He told officers he was sitting in his car when he was approached by a former roommate who accused him of stealing a sleeping bag and then challenged him to fight. When the victim refused to fight, the suspect pushed him and ripped the victim's necklace from his neck and threw it on the ground. As the victim bent over to pick up the necklace, the suspect kicked the victim in the face, causing his mouth to bleed. The victim spit blood at the suspect and the suspect fled. The victim called police.

Officers responded to the suspect's home, but he wasn't at the location. The suspect walked into the police department lobby and turned himself in a few hours later. He admitted to the crime and said he was attempting to instigate a fight with the victim. He said he only fled to wash the blood off his face. The suspect was arrested.

Child Abuse – Suspect Arrested
February 18 at 9:00 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of West Lemon regarding a family fight between a mother and her 14-year-old son. The mother was intoxicated and was yelling at her son for no apparent reason. She pushed him to the ground, punched him in the face several times, and scratched his body with her fingernails. The 14-year-old boy did not fight back, but covered his face in defense. Officers were called to the scene and the mother was arrested for child abuse. The boy was released to his father, who does not live with the mother.

Assault Report
February 19 at 7:49 a.m., two female subjects were dropping off their kids at school in the 200 block of Jasmine. They were driving on Jasmine in opposing lanes and their mirrors collided. The drivers exited their vehicles and began arguing. One of the females pushed the other and a fight ensued. Another parent saw the fight and separated them. One of the subjects went to the police station to report the assault; the other called from the scene, and then came to the station, as well. One of the females was pregnant and complained of pain, so she was taken to a hospital. A verified complaint will be filed with the District Attorney’s office on both parties.

Structure Fire
February 19 at 9:49 p.m., a female resident in the 100 block of South Mayflower called 9-1-1 because her apartment's kitchen had caught on fire. An officer arrived at the location. The female said no one was inside, but the officer entered the apartment with his patrol car's fire extinguisher in order to confirm the home had been completely evacuated. After confirming no one was inside, he could see the flames rising from the kitchen stove. He sprayed the flames with his extinguisher and the fire was quickly put out, preventing it from spreading throughout the home and into other apartments in the complex.

Drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment to Scan the Arctic

Monrovia's AeroVironment gets FAA approval to use its drones for commercial applications in the Arctic. Oil and gas exploration. http://goo.gl/MJ5FQj

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia MOMMA?

Writing in The Weekly Star newspaper, Monrovia columnist Charlotte Shamadan quips that with the proliferation of governmental acronyms (POTUS, SCOTUS, FLOTUS, for example) Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz should have one. She proposes MOMMA - Mayor Of Monrovia Mary Ann.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Seagulls

To dissuade seagulls that are munching lunch scraps and dropping seagull bombs, Monrovia High is urging students to throw their left-over lunches away and is caution-taping off areas that have been left particularly messy. A school notice says: "Have some pride in where you eat and put your trash in the nearest trash can, which is certainly fewer than 15 feet away from you. Let's help the seagulls get back to the sea where they belong." http://goo.gl/9MTcP3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Flea Market | Youth Summit

~ Flea Market at Monrovia's Wonder Dog Ranch, Sunday, Feb. 23, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 220 Taylor Street, two blocks south of Duarte Road on the east side of the 2000 block of South Myrtle. Part of the proceeds will benefit Foothill Unity Center Pet Food Bank.

~ Monrovia/Duarte Youth Summit. http://goo.gl/YuDiQP

- Brad Haugaard

Make Your Garden California Friendly | New Monrovia Condos at Ivy and Olive

~ Learn 6 ways to make your garden California friendly, Friday, Feb. 21, 6-9 p.m. at the Upper Water District board room - 602 E. Huntington Drive, Suite B, Monrovia. Limited to 50 people. Email Ruby@usgvmwd.org or call (626) 443-2297 to attend. http://goo.gl/7NifO4

~ Artistic evening photo of the new condos at the corner of Ivy and Olive. http://goo.gl/tSSCxl

- Brad Haugaard

Fundraiser for Monrovia's Unity Center | A Bit of Wind?

~ Foothill Unity Center fundraiser, Thursday, Feb. 27, 3-9 p.m. Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary will receive ten percent of all dining proceeds. Paco's Mexican Restaurant, 200 E. Foothill, Arcadia.

~ Possibility of wind up to 14 miles per hour tomorrow (Wednesday). http://goo.gl/FHx2Y9

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Domestic Violence; Fraudulent Travelers Checks; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 13-16. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Warrant - Suspect Arrested
February 13 at 12:37 p.m., an officer observed a subject at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle who he knew had an outstanding warrant out of Arcadia Police Department for domestic violence. He detained and arrested the suspect for the warrant.

Attempt Burglary
February 14 at 3:37 p.m., the principal of a learning center in the 1000 block of South Canyon reported that someone attempted to break in on February 12. She said a security camera shows a subject removing a window screen. Apparently the alarm went off and the suspect fled. The investigation is continuing.

Battery / Mental Evaluation - Suspect Arrested
February 14 at 5:23 p.m., a woman and her husband were walking northbound on Mauna Loa from Foothill when a mentally ill female subject began to chase them and attempted to hit the woman. Another female subject attempted to tell the mentally ill woman that her dogs had gotten out and she punched this female. Police responded and took the woman to a hospital, where she was held for mental evaluation. The female subject who was punched called police to press battery charges against the subject.

Fraudulent Use of Travelers Checks - Suspects Arrested
February 14 at 5:29 p.m., a loss prevention officer from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a fraud in progress. Two females and one male subject were attempting to use fraudulent traveler's checks to make a purchase in the store. The same subjects reportedly used fraudulent traveler's checks at the Ontario branch of the same store at 12:00 p.m. that same day. They were now at the Monrovia store attempting to commit the same crime. Officers arrived and detained the three suspects as they were exiting the store. All three suspects were arrested and taken into custody for fraudulent use of traveler's checks.

Domestic Violence - Suspect Arrested
February 14 at 7:05 p.m., a male and female who are homeless were sitting on a bench in the park in the 300 block of South Myrtle. The male and female have been living together for eight years. The male suspect punched the female victim in the head and knocked her unconscious. Police responded and the suspect was arrested for domestic violence. The suspect is confined to a wheelchair, has a medical condition, and could not be housed at the Monrovia jail. He was taken to the Los Angeles County jail for housing. A computer check revealed the suspect is the restrained party in a domestic violence restraining order and the victim is the protected person.

Vehicle Burglary
February 15 at 8:24 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of South Violet Avenue. The victim reported that his vehicle was broken into and a backpack containing an iPad, iPod and other miscellaneous items was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Felony Vandalism
February 15 at 1:11 p.m., the victim parked his vehicle at a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington at 2:00 a.m. in the morning. He went to his vehicle at 1:00 p.m. the next day and saw the rear passenger side door had been kicked in. Writing had been scratched into the paint and the right front fender area was damaged. The victim is from Nevada and had no idea how the damaged occurred. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence - Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 2:53 p.m., police responded to the report of a male and female pushing each other in front of a residence in the 800 block of Alta Street. Officers arrived and separated the subjects, who are boyfriend and girlfriend. The subjects recently moved from Colorado to Monrovia and have been staying at her mother's house. They were involved in an argument and the male suspect choked the mother first and then the girlfriend. The suspect had a cut on this hand from breaking a mirror. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and treated him for the injury. He was then arrested and taken into custody.

Girl Scouts and Monrovia VFW Retire Flags

The VFW recently had a flag retirement ceremony with a standing-room-only crowd. VFW spokesman Robert Parry reports that the Girl Scouts prepared more than 350 flags for burning over two days, but we only got through about 75. The Post will handle the the remnants.  Girl Scout Vienna Smith-Murillo, a Gold Award candidate and Freshman at Mayfield School, organized the event with VFW help.

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: The Metro - Nice Trains, Lousy Ticket Machines

The Metro is coming to Monrovia soon, so to get a preview my wife and I decided to take the Metro into LA and have lunch at Phillipe's, so we got on at the Sierra Madre Villa station. I love trains and this one was clean and nice and the ride was pleasant, but the automatic ticket machine was - in my grandmother's colorful vocabulary - a disgrace to the hooty owls. It is the most baffling, confusing, frustrating ticket machine I have EVER had the misfortune to encounter. Even multi-language ticket machines in Europe are a breeze to use in comparison. And while we stood there confounded three other people expressed their confusion as well. And the five of us were the only ones there! 100% confusion.

So, can you Metro people please find some decent ticket machines before you install them in the Monrovia station?

- Brad Haugaard